Chapter 57 Chapter Fourteen

In the seventh hundred and seventy-third year of the Baicang calendar, in the early spring, the Hongchuan Plateau was in the middle of winter, and there was a heavy snowfall. The road from the Xiatang border to Zhenhuang was blocked by heavy snow. Merchants hoarded and took the opportunity to raise the prices of necessities such as oil, rice, tea, and salt. Residents rushed to buy rice, causing chaos in the imperial capital.On the sixth day of March, Shengjin Palace summoned Muhe Xiyun, the descendant of Muhe's direct line, and severely reprimanded him. He resigned from the position of Muhexiyun Emperor's Governor and was replaced by Zhao Qi, the third son of the emperor.This is the first time in the 300-year history of the empire that the descendants of the Zhao family are in charge of the Yin Yamen of the imperial capital. From then on, the responsibility of guarding the three armies of the Zhenhuang imperial capital is completely in the hands of the royal family.

After Zhao Qi came to power, he immediately took over the troops of the Green Battalion, reintegrating and exchanging blood.Zhao Qi's biological mother, Concubine Shu, is the sister of Wei Guang, the patriarch of the Wei Clan, so Zhao Qi's various government orders have won the warm support of the generals of the Wei Clan.On the tenth day of March, Zhao Qi led the green battalion soldiers and horses to the outside of Zhenhuang City, and personally rested and reorganized the capital. For a while, it was passed down as a good story by the people of the imperial capital. At this time, on the snowy wilderness outside the city, a fast horse suddenly galloped against the wind and snow. The front was vast and deserted.

Only one slope away, on another vast snow field, Wu Daoya half-closed his eyes, wearing a blue hood, long eyebrows covered with hoarfrost, his face was pale from the cold, but his eyes were piercing. Facing the front, his face was calm, and he couldn't tell what he was thinking. "Sir," a boy in a gray overcoat ran out of the carriage behind, hurried out with a big fur, and said in a deep voice, "Sir, don't wait, it won't come. The wind and snow are too heavy, Liu Huzi said that there will be a heavy snowstorm later, we should hurry up and get to Queyu Mountain before dark."

Wu Daoya was unmoved, as if he hadn't heard it, his eyes were still looking ahead, expressionless. "Sir?" The little boy was taken aback, and pulled the corner of Lao Daoya's clothes: "Sir?" "Ming'er, listen." The man in the green robe suddenly opened his lips, his tone was a little hoarse, and in the whistling north wind, he seemed more and more low-key, like the autumn wind of Fusang, and said slowly. "Listen?" The little boy frowned and pricked up his ears: "Sir, what are you listening to?" "Sound of hooves." Wu Daoya said, "Here we come."

"The sound of horseshoes?" Ming'er listened for a long time, but she couldn't hear anything except the howling wind. In such weather, it was difficult to hear the other party's speech at close range, let alone the sound of horseshoes in the distance, Ming'er muttered Said: "Sir, there is no sound of horseshoes, you must have heard it wrong, in my opinion, we still..." However, before Ming'er finished speaking, there was a sudden and clear sound of horse hooves, and the little boy was startled, and suddenly raised his head.On the white wilderness, a yellow puma slowly appeared at the end of the horizon, the figure on the horse was blurred, and the snow was getting heavier and heavier, falling from the sky, flying and fluttering, making people's vision more and more blurred.However, it can still be clearly seen that the figure on the horse is a little thin, as if it could be blown away by a gust of wind.

"Sir," Ming'er was slightly stunned: "You are amazing!" "Woo!" There was a clear and low shout, and the person on the horse got off the horse neatly, and ran forward a few steps.She was wearing a thick blue-faced windbreaker, and a huge cloak completely covered her head and face. Only a faint trace of black long hair could be seen faintly at the lower end of the hood. "Fortunately, it's too late." The woman took off her hood, revealing a thin face with blue lips. She quickly took out a stack of rice paper from her bosom, handed it to Wudaoya, and traveled long distances in the cold wind. , let her lose strength, panting slightly and said: "Put it away, it's all here."

Wu Daoya frowned, looked at the woman's appearance, seemed a little angry, frowned and said, "Why don't you let others come? Count nine cold winters, your illness is cured?" The woman shook her head: "No one can come. Muhe Xifeng is dead, and that idiot Muhe Xiyun has gone down again. This third prince is very difficult to deal with. Several brothers were lost in the meeting. I am a woman. They The inspection is not strict." "Zhao Qi has been keeping a low profile for so many years, but he didn't expect to make such a big move in the first place. Zhao Zhengde really gave birth to a group of good sons."

"Let's not talk so much, let's go. This task is very tight, and it will only take less than a month to come and go. The son's current reputation has both advantages and disadvantages. If the overall situation is not stabilized at this time, it is likely to change midway .” Wu Daoya nodded: "I know, you have to be careful." "En," the woman nodded, her face was as pale as snow, her eyes seemed to be darker, and she said in her mouth, "You too." Wu Daoya's eyes were a little gloomy, looking at the woman's pale cheeks and thin body, he suddenly sighed helplessly, turned around and took the big fur from Ming'er's hand, put it on the woman's shoulders, lowered his head, and carefully inspected it for her. Fasten the belt, with slender fingers and gentle eyes, while tying it, he exhorted in a low voice: "The weather is getting colder and colder, you must be more careful, this month is not long or short, the situation in the imperial capital has changed, you You must be careful, and you must not be rash and impulsive. Among the brothers and sisters back then, there are only you and me left now, Ayu, I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

Miss Yu lowered her head and remained silent. Something in her heart was like a flower that had been seeded, and it grew densely. There were so many things entrenched in her heart that people didn't know what to say. "You have to weigh things in the meeting. Although there were no casualties in rescuing Master Zhu last time, it exposed our two secret contact stations. It is inevitable that there will be some resentment from above. You can bear it as long as you can, Qian Don't be arrogant." "Let them fight among the elites in the imperial city, and don't get involved. Our arrangement this time is only to rescue the prince safely, and ignore the rest. Don't be greedy for meritorious deeds, and lose your sense of proportion." .”

"Also," Wu Daoya slowly raised his head, his eyes were calm, like a frozen lake in early winter, with no waves or ripples visible inside, and even his voice was staid: "Your health is not good, take care of yourself, Don't work too hard. When things are over here, I will take you to live in Biantang, where the lakes and mountains are beautiful and the climate is mild, which is the most helpful for your illness. " After tying the last knot, Wu Daoya took two steps back, glanced at the woman, then turned around, and waved his hands gently as he walked: "Go back, be careful on the road."

"Daoya," Miss Yu suddenly raised her head, with a serious expression on her face. "En?" Wu Daoya turned his head, raised his eyebrows, and asked softly, "Is there anything else?" Miss Yu pursed her lips, thought for a while, then shook her head, and said, "It's nothing, I'll talk about it when you come back, take care." Wu Daoya looked at the woman, she was not considered a beautiful woman, her face was thin and her body was thin, although she was only twenty-seven or eight years old, years of fatigue and hard work had caused some fine crow's feet in the corners of her eyes prematurely , the skin is also unhealthy pale.But it was such a face that made him have so many concerns that he couldn't let go of. Just like today, this is not an important document, but he firmly believes that she will send it in person to see him for the last time, although he is still blaming her for not caring for herself. To this day, he still seems to remember the first time they met.On that day, he followed his master to travel to Zhenhuang Emperor's Capital. On the Xiaoyan Bridge in Ximiao Street, he met a girl who was beaten to pieces by her master because she ran away.That year, she was only nine years old, thin and small, her skin was sallow due to long-term malnutrition, and she looked lifeless.However, there is only one pair of eyes, so big, so dark, so bright, full of unyielding resentment and perseverance that never gives up. At that moment, he knew that this child would succeed, no matter how many times she failed, as long as she was still alive, she would definitely be able to escape. Sure enough, half a month later, at the gate of a restaurant outside Runan City, they once again met this dying child who was still refusing to beg.The master took her in and took her all the way back.From then on, Tianji Mountain had a little sister, and he also had an extra concern. Seven days ago, Xihua died on Zuolingyuan in Yanbei. The thirteen brothers and sisters who came down from Tianji Mountain together were finally the two of them. Wu Daoya stretched out his hand and patted Miss Yu's shoulder with a lot of force. He wanted to say something, but he finally suppressed it: "There is something to do, let's talk when you come back. I'll go first, you should be careful." "En," Miss Yu nodded, "You too." Wu Daoya got into the carriage, Liu Huzi was wearing a dog fur coat, rubbed his hands, and threw off the whip with a yell.The war horse neighed and pattered its hooves, and the carriage kicked up a stream of white snow mist, which gradually disappeared in the snowstorm that filled the sky. No matter what happens, you can come back and talk about it. Miss Yu sighed softly, the cold snowflakes hit her face, reminding her of Huo Leiyuan in Yanbei. Everything is coming to an end, as long as the young master is successfully rescued in a few months, she will be able to retire.At that time, she can go to Biantang, where it is very warm, unlike Hongchuan, where it snows for more than half of the year, then, she can experience the scenes in the book, go boating on the green lake, Smell the fragrance of lotus at night. Ayu raised his head and took a deep breath, but the premise is that he must be rescued safely. She straightened her back, gave a soft drink, turned around and beat her horse away. They have been waiting for too many years, and they can definitely continue to wait. Although there are some things that cannot be said, there will always be a day when they will be said.On that day, the world will be unified, the people will live in peace, and there will be no more slaves in the world, and all wars will be eliminated. The cold wind blows from a distance, blowing a small whirlwind on the flat ground, and the white snow spirals upwards, like the cycle of fate, rising up, falling again, and repeating itself. At this time, in the Holy Golden Palace, the girl slowly put down the documents on the desk, walked to the window, looked at the burning clouds in the sky, and was in a daze. The maid Luliu knocked on the door carefully, opened the door timidly, and said in a low voice, "Girl, someone is looking for you outside." Here, except for Yan Xun, everyone is afraid of her, because every servant has been strictly interrogated by her when entering Yinggeyuan.In her previous life, she was a national intelligence officer, and in this life, she was repeatedly on the verge of life and death, which made her strictly vigilant and careful about everything. The woman raised her eyebrows lightly: "Who?" "The guard didn't say anything," Luliu replied in a low voice, "General Song Shen from Qianmen City came to report in person." "Song Que?" Chu Qiao asked suspiciously, the identity of the visitor was not simple, not only could he freely enter the Holy Gold Palace, but he could also assign Song Que to send a message to find her, who could it be? "Go and tell General Song, I'll be right there." Putting on a fox fur coat and a dagger for self-defense, Chu Qiao opened the gate of Yingge Yuan.Song Que's frozen face that had lasted for several years suddenly appeared in front of her eyes, and the girl sighed inwardly. For such a general who doesn't know the world, it's no wonder that he was guarding the Qianmen City when he first entered the palace, and he is still guarding the Qianmen City now. No progress at all. After many twists and turns, they came to the Yumei Pavilion in the harem garden, which is Zhao Song's favorite place.When she was young, she often quietly came here to accept Zhao Song's help, but now, she hasn't come here for a long time. The forest is still the same, but the plum trees in the past are a bit thicker. Now it is a good time for the plum blossoms to bloom, and the whole garden is full of fragrance. Song Shenjiang retreated without saying a word, and Chu Qiao went in alone. Go, after a few steps, I saw the shadow of the person coming. "Miss Xing'er." I haven't seen him for several years, Zhu Cheng has gotten a little fat, his belly is round, but he still has a smiling face, and he doesn't show any emotion at all because Chu Qiao betrayed Zhuge's family. Chu Qiao's expression remained unchanged, and she said calmly, "Butler Zhu, my surname is Chu." Zhu Cheng hurriedly said with a smile: "Miss Chu, I came to you by order of the young master." "Young Master?" The girl snorted coldly, and said respectfully but coldly, "Which Young Master?" Zhu Cheng was slightly taken aback, but still replied: "Zhuge Yue, Zhuge Fourth Young Master." "What does he want from me?" "This, the young master ordered me to send it to you, the young lady." The long blue cloth wrapped the slender sword, and just looking at the hilt, Chu Qiao knew that it was the one she used to shoot Zalu's men on the night of hunting. sword. "The young master said, return your sword to you now, and please also return my young master's sword." "I didn't bring it with me," Chu Qiao raised her eyebrows, and said in a deep voice, "You should tell me what it is in advance, so that I can bring the sword." "Ah?" Zhu Cheng was taken aback, "Did I tell General Song?" Chu Qiao's head went black, and you told him that it was the same as not saying anything, and she reached out to take the sword, saying, "I'll take the sword back first, and I'll send someone to deliver your young master's sword to the door later." "Miss Chu," Zhu Cheng said with a look of embarrassment on his face, "Young master said, you don't want to have anything to do with each other, the matter should be resolved as soon as possible, don't procrastinate. How about this, the servant is here waiting for you, please go back Just go and let someone bring it to me." Don't want to have anything to do with each other? Chu Qiao twitched her eyebrows lightly, stretched out her hand to take back the sword, and said in a deep voice, "Okay." Immediately, he turned around and left. It was not allowed to carry weapons in the Holy Golden Palace. Although no one was checking, Chu Qiao still put the sword inside Daqiu, bowed her head and walked quickly to Yinggeyuan. In two days, she will go to the Xiaoqi Camp to take up her post.Emperor Xia's appointment confused the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty for a long time. The Great Emperor has started to use people from Yanbei again, what does this mean?It means that the emperor wants to let go of the past and let Yan Xun return to Yanbei to succeed, so as to stabilize the hearts of the world's vassal kings? Obviously, this is impossible.Over the years, Emperor Xia has always closed his eyes and ignored Yan Xun's blows, ostracism, and infighting in the Holy Golden Palace.Although he has never personally acted, but as an emperor, his attitude of letting go is to encourage other people with ulterior motives to eradicate Yan Xun. If Yan Xun and Chu Qiao were not cautious, they might have died in round after round The cold arrow plotted against him. Emperor Xia once killed Yan Xun's parents and brothers in front of Yan Xun, and knocked down this noble man from the Celestial Dynasty to Abi Hell overnight. Then, it is absolutely impossible for Yan Xun to return to Yan north.It's not that he didn't do something, it's just that those who did it didn't succeed. Now that the day of Yan Xun's return is approaching, how could he give Yan Bei to this resentful wolf cub? So, what is the purpose of Emperor Xia's appointment?Almost everyone in Zhenhuang City knows that the female slave Chu Qiao is Yan Xun's strongest supporter. This girl, who is not yet fifteen years old, has protected the Yan prince from life and death many times in the past seven years. Difficult, agile, superb martial arts.Could it be that Emperor Xia really liked this outstanding girl and wanted to recruit and train her?Or, is it to cut off Yan Xun's wings, in order to prevent future attacks from hindering him? No one knew why, all speculations were superficial, Chu Qiao knew that things would never be so simple, it was just that she hadn't figured out the crux of the problem yet. Bypassing Changxuan Street is Taoism Road, with majestic red walls on both sides and bright yellow tiles covered with white snow. There was a sudden sound of footsteps, Chu Qiao frowned, did she remember wrongly, there is a meeting today? There was no time to think about it, the people who were able to enter the inner hall of the Holy Gold Palace to discuss matters were all officials of the third rank and above, and in her capacity, she had to kneel down and avoid it. The girl walked to a corner of the wall, leaned against the wall and knelt down, bowed her head in silence, the wide fox fur covered her eyebrows and eyes, only revealing a fair and clean neck. The footsteps gradually approached, but they walked to her side, but did not leave. A deep voice sounded above her head: "Raise your head." Chu Qiao frowned, and slowly straightened up. The enemy's road is narrow, today is really unlucky.